Kashi Ingredient Decoder

ACACIA GUM:
(also known as GUM ARABIC and GUAR GUM):

This natural ingredient is made from the hardened sap of the acacia tree; it helps stick stuff together and adds important fiber. (Good)

ASPARTAME:

This artificial sweetener that’s commonly used in diet soft drinks and chewing gum is 180 times sweeter than sugar. (Bad)

BLEACHED FLOUR:

After it’s milled and bleached white with chemicals like chlorine, this baking flour loses many of its original whole-grain nutrients. (Bad)

BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA):

This chemical is added to foods to preserve fats and keep them from turning rancid. (Bad)

BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT):

This chemical is used as a preservative in cereals and snack foods. (Bad)

CALCIUM PEROXIDE:

This agent is used to bleach flour and improve dough strength, grain, and texture. (Bad)

CASEIN
(also known as Sodium Caseinate):

This dairy protein can help hold different foods together. (Good)

CHICORY ROOT FIBER:

This is used to hold different ingredients together and also contains the naturally occurring fiber inulin. (Good)

EVAPORATED CANE JUICE SYRUP:

A minimally processed sugar, this amber-colored liquid retains a slight golden color and a subtle taste from the original cane juice. (Good)

EXPELLER-PRESSED CANOLA OIL:

This all-natural plant oil is extracted using a non-chemical process and has good monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids too (SEE EXPELLER-PRESSED INGREDIENTS). (Good)

EXPELLER-PRESSED INGREDIENTS
(also known as COLD-PRESSED INGREDIENTS):

In this process natural oils are extracted from seeds by mechanical pressure without the use or addition of chemicals, colorings, or preservatives. (Good)

FRACTIONATED OILS:

These oils are plant-based oils that are used for coatings on many energy bars or whenever fat is needed to stay solid at room temperature. (Good)

GLUTEMATE
(also known as Glutamic acid):

Free glutamate is naturally occurring in some foods such as cheese, milk, tomatoes, mushrooms, yeast and soy. This is different than monosodium glutamate (MSG), the artificial flavor enhancer, a compound of sodium plus glutamate. (Good)

GLYCERIN:

This colorless liquid helps ingredients of different water content get along together (so dry ingredients such as grains stay dry, and moist ingredients like fruit stay moist). Kashi’s glycerin is from plant, not animal, sources.

(Good)

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP:

This highly processed liquid sweetener and preservative consists mainly of glucose; it has become a common ingredient in many manufactured foods and drinks. (Bad)

LACTIC ACID:

Known as milk acid, this natural compound is used to increase the cheese flavor in foods like pizza. Despite the term milk acid, Kashi uses only vegetable sources, so it’s okay for vegan diets. (Good)

MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG):

This controversial flavor enhancer is commonly used in Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats. (Bad)

NON-IRRADIATED SPICES:

Unless specifically stated as "non-irradiated," spices undergo a process of ionizing radiation to increase shelf life and kill bacteria. While this may sound good, we believe using gamma radiation from nuclear material goes way beyond the level of processing necessary to make natural foods. (Good)

OLIGIOFRUCTOSE:

Oligiosaccharide or alternative sweetener derived inulin, which is found naturally in chicory root. Often used to help provide a thicker texture. (Good)

PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OIL:

This oil has been partially hardened through chemical means and contributes trans fats to foods. (Bad)

POLYDEXTROSE:

This chemically created additive is used as a sugar replacement and a fiber supplement in many foods. (Bad)

POTASSIUM SORBATE:

This food preservative is used to hinder the growth of mold and yeast. (Bad)

SILICON DIOXIDE:

This naturally occurring mineral is used to keep powdered foods flowing smoothly without congealing. (Bad)

SODIUM BENZOATE:

This chemical preservative is used most prevalently in acidic foods like salad dressings, carbonated drinks, fruit juices, and condiments. (Bad)

SODIUM PHOSPHATES:

These are normal and essential salts for the body that work as natural leavening agents, helping make baked goods light and fluffy. (Good)

SUCRALOSE:

This artificial sweetener is 600 times sweeter than real sugar. (Bad)

TARTARIC ACID:

This organic acid can be found in plants and is used to provide tartness in food. (Good)